New weather alert system for drivers

The Highways Agency has teamed up with the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and Road Haulage Association (RHA) to launch a new system to warn drivers about severe weather conditions.

The Severe Weather Alert has been developed in response to severe storms that hit the UK earlier in the year when nearly 50 goods vehicles were blown over on major routes.

The new system will help all business drivers decide if they should change their route or end their journey and will cover England’s motorways and major A roads.

Consisting of amber and red weather alerts - depending on the severity of weather reports received by the Met Office – the warnings will be communicated via radio travel bulletins.

It can also be accessed via DAB digital radio and the internet at www.trafficradio.org.uk, and through the FTA and RHA membership network.

An amber weather alert will advise drivers to take care because it is highly likely that traffic conditions will be affected by the weather and they should monitor traffic and travel radio bulletins.

A red weather alert will only be issued in exceptional circumstances when the weather becomes so severe that journeys would be affected by incidents on the Highway Agency's road network.

During a red weather alert, drivers of goods vehicles will be asked to leave the network immediately and find a safe place to park.